Events Support Specialist

At The Gazette, our hosted events, conferences and niche gatherings are a critical component to the company’s strategic goal of diversified revenue. Through our unique event experiences we create powerful live expressions of our brand that open conversations with a community of consumers, readers, advertisers and more.

As a member of our employee-owned company, the role of Event Support Specialist will be a leader in the strategic planning, promoting and execution of some of The Gazette’s signature events and programs. This role will be a part of a cross-functional team to build and promote the products and experiences that are a powerful representation of our brand, an amplification of our journalism, and a way to recruit and retain subscribers. It requires a proactive self-starter who thrives in a team approach to planning for and build out of events. This individual will have an exceptional ability to identify ways to apply their strengths to event strategy that will align to the strengths of the Events Manager and brand initiatives team, committed to deliver on commitments, with full accountability and an optimistic and friendly attitude.

The successful candidate will be a creative and strategic thinker with an understanding of the live event space and the elements of planning and implementation of each event. This position will require minimum supervision and be confident in making decisions that support the strategic goals of every event or program. The role will include collaboration with the Events Manager as well as the Manager of Brand Initiatives, requiring keen attention to detail and strong interpersonal skills with the ability to handle a number of projects simultaneously. A typical event calendar under The Gazette may include wedding expos, career fairs, news forums, holiday events, and our flagship Iowa Ideas conference.

Areas of expertise should include creative thinking, operational and task management, marketing concepts and event implementation.

Responsibilities and Key Accountabilities

• Research and recommend Gazette hosted event and program opportunities that align to current or prospective Gazette audience
• Work with brand initiatives team to explore new opportunities for collaborations with organizations and other event producers.
• Collaborate with Manager of Brand Initiatives and Events Manager to build an annual strategic events plan
• Work with the Manager of Brand Initiatives to build promotional strategy for Gazette hosted events, including but not limited to audience identification, creative development, scheduling and impact analysis.
• Collaborate with Manager of Brand Initiatives and Events Manager on annual logistical strategy and tasks within each event
• Provide a supporting or lead role in identified Gazette hosted events, including but not limited to contracts, vendors, ticketing, food and beverage, decor and signage, printed materials and day of logistical and technical aspects.
• Collaborate with Events Manager on tracking of event budgets and tracking attendee data, including accounts receivable and invoice submission. Provide reports and forecasts to management and event sponsors as directed.
• Assist with event venue on responsibilities for on-site event staff.
• Assist in recruitment and coordination of volunteers for staffing events.
• Collaborate with Events Manager, Director of Sales and Manager of Brand Initiatives in establishing and managing Gazette advertising, event sales and marketing to create and support event package buys.

Required Skills

• Event facilitation experience, with knowledge of the technical aspects of event planning
• Understanding of marketing concepts with experience in the creation and implementation of marketing plans including but not limited to use of traditional, social and digital resources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work across different teams/departments effectively with including Sales, Marketing, Production and the Newsroom.
• Ability to make independent judgements on event-related logistical matters
• Strong strategic planning skills
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks within multiple projects and events simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, in person and in writing.
• Strong problem-solving skills – approaches problems logically with a solution-oriented mindset
• Solid command of Excel, Air Tables or other organization products preferred
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed
• Ability to travel as needed

Qualifications

• 2 years’ experience working with live events in management or support; experience in the news and media space a plus.
• 2 years’ experience in event marketing
• Interest and enthusiasm for all disciplines of programming that connects people to ideas.
• Strong project support skills, including an ability to manage multiple priorities at once.
• High degree of initiative and orientation toward results with a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent people skills.

EOE. Pre-employment drug screen and background check required.

Please apply online at

www.thegazette.com/careers